|
|
|
|
 PROMOS!!!!!!!Return to index of stories... |
Counting New Hampshire's birds one species at a time. Plus, keeping your drinking water safe. |
| Preshow #1 MTBE Return to index of stories... |
Taking steps to clean up your home drinking water. |
| Preshow #2 Berrien Return to index of stories... |
He's a climate change expert, who just added a Nobel Peace Prize to his resume. A conversation about global warming with UNH's Berrien Moore. And later: |
| Preshow #3Audubon Return to index of stories... |
Volunteers across the state take part in New Hampshire's annual bird count. How it works and what the experts are hoping to learn. |
| Hello/Intro MTBE Return to index of stories... |
Hello, I'm Beth Carroll welcome to New Hampshire Outlook. M-T-B-E is back in the news. A report released by the Department of Environmental Services in early January shows the gasoline additive is showing up in both private and public water supplies throughout the state. Heaviest concentrations were found in southern New Hampshire. Outlook's Phil Vaughn take us to "his" basement to show how to get rid of M-T-B-E and other potential contaminants from your drinking water. |
| MTBE Return to index of stories... |
Gas pumps/stations N1- It's been around since 1979. It was banned in 2007 -- - MTBE. The additive was used in gasoline. Its purpose? -- to help reduce air pollution. Scientists at the Dept of Environmental Services, however, discovered that MTBE was also getting into the water supply. DES clip - "The safe level of MTBE in drinking water is 13 parts per billion for drinking water." Kinner 134- "Most of those levels are below that limit but DES is concerned about there may be a bigger problem that you need to be aware of." N2- Nancy Kinner teaches environmental engineering at the University of NH. The problems with MTBE, she says, are often hidden. Kinner 329/158/424 - "It's very soluable in ground water unlike the rest of the components in gasoline so it gets in there is very soluable and moves with that ground water. You can see a flowing river and know where it's going. Ground water you don't know where it's going. It's very difficult to pinpoint the source especially if you're in an urban area where there are multiple potential sources." N3- Which are often leaking storage tanks at gas stations. But remember - MTBE was banned in NH in 2007. Kinner 544 - "The source is gone but the mtbe stays around for a long time because once it's in the ground water it doesn't degrade." N4- And according to the DES report - 30 percent of the public water supplies in southern NH have some levels - mostly low - of MTBE present. Kinner 720 - "That water is pretested before its released by the town so you shouldn't have to do any testing." N5- For those of you on private wells - about 17 percent in the southern part of the state are contaminated. Most are below the accepted level of 13 parts per billion. Kinner 607 - "The only way to know unless it's a very high level and you can taste it is to get your water tested." N6- Water samples can be tested at a private or state lab. And while you're testing for MTBE, Kinner says there are other contaminants to be aware of. Kinner 821 - "Other common ones that we see around here are radon and arsenic." N7- If the test results return high, mitigation is usually required. Shot of water coming out of faucet with the word Radon keyed in it Kinner 1219/1233/1310 - "There are a few technologies. The most common for radon is aeration. We did a study for EPA years ago and found the best technologies for homes are aeration. What you have here is a simple aeration system. Radon is a gas that's dissolved in water all you have to do to get it out is pump some air through that water. And you'll hear an aeration system come on and what you have is an exhaust system that vents the radon gas outside. What you want to be sure is that the vent goes high enough away from the windows." Shot of water coming out of faucet with the word MTBE keyed in it Kinner 1430 - "If you have mtbe there is something called a GAC - granulated activated carbon filter and those are in canisters and what happens is the mtbe sticks on to the charcoal. N8- Kinner says the costs of the MTBE mitigation system are often covered by the state or the party responsible for the contamination. Kinner 1500 - "For radon and arsenic, they're not because they are from natural sources." Shot of water coming out of faucet with the word ARSENIC keyed in it Kinner 1541 - "The arsenic system you have is the type where the arsenic sticks on to the filter. The arsenic filter is much smaller because you are treating only the water that you drink. Radon you have to get out of all your water because you can ingest it while showering - it releases in to the air." N9- The important thing to remember about any of these systems is they require routine maintenance such as filter changes. Kinner 1635 - "These systems work well, if you maintain them. That's the key." N10 - For NH Outlook, I'm Phil Vaughn. |
| Tag MTBE Return to index of stories... |
If you're concerned about the purity of the water in your home, have it tested at the state lab or a private lab. If they recommend a system be installed like the one you saw in Phil's story it could cost you anywhere between 500 to several thousand dollars. |
| Next 1 Return to index of stories... |
A conversation with NH Climate Change Expert Berrien Moore. |
| Intro Berrien Moore Return to index of stories... |
This past week, leaders from around the world met to debate a new treaty to fight global warming. That's music to the ears of Dr. Berrien Moore, the University of New Hampshire's outgoing director of the Institute for the Study of Earth, Oceans and Space. Moore has been with the Institute since its inception and last year was part of a network of scientists recognized with a Nobel Peace Prize for their work on the consequences of global climate change. I recently sat down with Moore in Durham to get his views on an issue that has become part of the national dialogue. |
| Berrien Moore Return to index of stories... |
NATS: Obama Energy TAPE : 58 as president. I will set a hard cap on all carbon emissions at a level scientists say is necessary to curb global warming. 59:03 NATS: Edwards interview tape: 1:13:22 If you vote for John Edwards for president you certainly see a green president NATS: Hillary: TRK1: In 2008 Presidential Politics has gone green but that wasn't the case in 2000 even with Al Gore in the race. So, Why is climate change on the radar screen, now. SOT: Berrien Tape 1/:53 What's happening in environment more apparent.clearest example.whats happening in arctic open…decline of artctic sea ice.capture public imagination… stranded polar bear on ice slow.I think the evidence of change is mounting 1:20 there is recognition with large nation economies.level of co 2 increase is quite distriburning.doubled increase.in past 15 years.that has caused a lot of attn 1:47 Thirdly…IPCC and VP Gore and award of Nobel a signal a stamp of approval. This is real.this merits a nobel prize …this is not fringe group 2:03 TRK2: Al Gore's documentary on global warming played a major role in his 2007 Nobel Peace Prize- it was also a turning point in the field of climate change. SOT; Berrien: Tape 1/ 6:27 The vp had been speaking out about this for a number of years and then his treatment in book and movie.he found…mrs. he found his voice.and I think it was quite effective 6:41 than during his period as vp 6:45 TRK3: Berrien Moore is a member of the UN panel on climate change that shares the Nobel Peace Prize with Gore. The group was cited for 2 decades of scientific reports on global warming. Moore is a respected voice in the field of earth science. SOT; TAPE 1 Beth Ques: 6:44 what is most important to understand climate change. 7:17 we know absolutely for certain that co is greenouse gas.inc in atmosphere up 35% upo from indus rev.we know its due to burning of fossifl fuel.deforestation.know for sure.translated for sure change balance of planning what we don't know is nature of change.uncertainty long term nature of change…how great could change be 8:02 TRK4: In 2004 the Institute for the Study of Earth, Oceans and Space, which Moore founded, launched the biggest ever air quality and climate change study off the coast of New Hampshire with major implications for public policy. SOT: Berrien Tape 1/ 17: 18 what we're discovering air pollution not regional - even broader.sulfate from china over mt tops.this interconnectivity.upstream.downstream.air ciculates.indu activity widespread.even classical air pollution regional global problem. set measurements…balloon all across atlantic ocean. not just local problem. 18:15 I think it re-emphasized the issue of co2-truly a global problem.shows nation could collaborate on these major endeavoras in way that is very cost effective . that there needs to be a buy in 18:37 Beth Question: Are we seeing buy in on part of china… 18:40 I think so…gone to china since 1990 staggering to see growth, power consumption… 19:07 air is bad as it was.given how much more Industrial use.strides. monumental problem. politically address it.air pollution alerts… now part of official media 19:38. TRK5: Moore says in the US the public dialogue has shifted from the debate over science -- to questions about technological solutions. 10:34 Beth Ques: give us some examples of concrete things we need to do. 10:43 Berrien: I think what we need to do is to learn how to take co2 out of the smokestacks of coal fired plants.across US we have to to do that 10:51 de-carbonize use of coal to produce elec.11:00 2nd ly think fresh about the bio fuels.to turn corn into biofuel makes no sense whatsoever… you're dealin with little net energy…its nonsense. but there are alternative ways to do biofuels.I think if we look at Dakotas…wind farms.capital into regional needs capital.color of money is green here 11:31 *** TRK6: At its Geographical Information Systems Lab, the Institute monitors long term wx patterns. NATS Tape 3 34:10 I think about map of arctic sea…you have model calculating how much ice in future…sat imagery connect past to present to future. TRK7: And, the Insitute's forest watch program monitors ozone damage in NH. Nats: 38:01 this is exciting because we got a lot of grammer schools involved analyzing satellite imagery going out into neighborhoods.looking for damage under microscope 38:16 …in that sense.students…connecting microscope to sat image which we calla macro scope 38:25 Nats: 38:51 Beth: Important to get younger generation.connect to own landscape.look at image.and see their school stheir homes seen by satellite 39:17 get them to recognize they're part of this environment speaking of satellites let's go upstairs look at some models 39:27 close door. TRK8: In the field of space science, UNH has had a long partnership with NASA. NATS: tape 2/ 1:01:28 Now. as I look up here.satellites.build instruments go on satellites 1:01:37 Tape 2: for instance. that went up in 90 largest ever to orbit. big telescope.energy gamma rays not optical telescope energy telescope 1:01:53 1:06:04 Tape 2: Beth: Is nasa biggest funder. Nasa largest… Nata; science foundation 1"06:11 dept of energy and dept of environmental protection agency 1:06:17 TRK9: Recent Cutbacks in NASA funding has taken its toll on the Institute's research. SOT: 20:06 Berrien: The nasa budget from 200 to 07 dropped 30% really inc drop 25:34 Beth how do you convince policy makers…long term. have to be straight up…its going to require.infrastructure … doesn't make problem go away 26:06 SOT: Beth Ques: Tape 1/ 24:40 What is biggest concern about warming climate. 24:46 That it will get out ahead of us - this is not something you can wait.like economy…have to anticipate change.can't wait for recession. have to look downstream.that's what exc about science.models let us look into the future… we have a storm coming. TRK10: Moore remains optimistic that we will see needed attention on the climate change watch. 5:02 I think we'll see a shift in bush budget final year towards a recognition that earth science is really quite important 5:12 5:14 BethQ: we will have new pres.expectations. 5:27 one never knows. I you look at 4 leading candidates mcain, Romney, Clinton obama.of 4 3 are qquire outspoken.important issue.mcain, Clinton & obama.Romney not so 3 out of 4 chance take important issue.higher than 3 out of 4 5:57 TRK11: After 39 years at UNH, Moore is moving on. He's taking a position with a think tank on climate change based at Princeton & Palo Alto. SOT: tape 1 Berrien: 26:59 mixed feelings about leaving. oh sure.gosh yes.lot of tears. 27:03 I've poured my heart and soul in place I believe in enterpise.these faculty colleages and friends, staff magnificient, unqiue place its extraordinary to leave.hardes to do 27:31 … but I had to change necessary… need to do this before I quit. :41 28:55 Berrien Moore thank you… 28:56 thank you. |
| Tag Berrien Moore Return to index of stories... |
Moore leaves for his new position at "Climate Central" at the end of the academic year. |
| Next 2 Return to index of stories... |
Counting New Hampshire's birds one species at a time. |
| Intro Audubon Return to index of stories... |
Every winter the New Hampshire Audubon conducts a survey of the state's bird population. Volunteers known as "birders," hit their backyards, armed with binoculars, ready to record the many species of birds that can be found here in New Hampshire. In mid-February we caught up with the coordinator of the survey, and some volunteers, and they explain what the bird count is all about. |
| Audubon Return to index of stories... |
Video Up: A cardinal chirps in the morning sun. Dissolve to: Becky Suomala/Survey Coordinator, "The survey actually started way back in 1967. Because there were some birds from the south that were invading our state. And they're familiar to us now but they weren't back then. And those were cardinals, tufted tit mice and northern mocking birds. And they'd never been seen in the state and they were increasing in numbers, and we wanted to know what was going on.Where were they? What was coming in? What were people seeing in the winter. And then in 1987 we expanded it to all species so that we could watch and keep track of all the different birds here in the wintertime." More Sounds of birds… Stephanie/Bird Watcher, "I started taking part in the winter bird survey about six years ago. What really got me going was when I thought of birds, the colorful birds, I always thought of them being in the rain forest in South America… But when I took a course with NH Audubon, the beginner bird course, I saw warblers and blue birds, I didn't realize we could have these beautiful birds in the cold north…" Blue bird chirps. Stephanie sitting over a desk, "This is the form they give us to send in. I will fill in all the details as far as how many the total are that I've seen the most over the two days. But so far I've seen 12 pigeons, 1 downy woodpecker, 4 blue jays, 1 American crow, and 1 tufted tit mouse. And that's… that's usually what my list is. Stephanie watching out the window… We hear another bird. Becky, "The volunteers are really what make the survey work. Last year we had over 1300 people taking part in the survey and they all watch on the same weekend… It's a really good measure of our resident birds and the birds here in the winter. And that's something you can't just do with a biologist here, or one over in the Northern part of the state. You need participation everywhere in the state." Dissolve to Joe watching through his binoculars. Joe, "I came to Nashua about twenty five years ago and started watching birds when I was about six or seven years old. I lived in Illinois and a friend of the family would take me out." "This is the blend of no mess bird seed that we use. the woodpeckers like it very much" "And this is one of my favorite feeders but the squirrels don't like it. Cause when they get on it, and they get on here, this comes down and they can't get in the hole to where the birds eat. But it does knock a little down and they can have a little snack." Squirrel munching on the ground. Empty bird feeders. One after the other. And another. Joe looks up to the sky. Camera pans up to find a hawk perched on the tall trees above his home. "Now this may be one of the reasons we don't have any birds at the feeders right now. Just above our heads is what appears to be a red tail hawk and he would like nothing more than to have a nice little chickadee for breakfast. And they're aware of him, all the smaller birds, you can hear them talking to each other." Hawk flies off… Dissolve to Becky, "I always encourage people to report even if they don't have any birds, because that's what we call negative data. If people only report when they have birds then we never learn about when there are low numbers of birds." Send it in even if its saying "I have no birds!" That's helpful information and it matters. "The other thing is you don't have to spend a lot of time to participate in the survey. If you only have 15 minutes, watch out the window for 15. If you wanna watch all day both days, you can do that too, theres a place to write down how much time you spent and that's the information that we need." Becky, "We send out our packets for participants in January and this is the packet that they would get. It has instructions in bright yellow… It tells them when to watch, how long to watch how many birds to record." Stephanie, "so this is a great help. the thing is, anybody can do this, you don't even need to know a lot of birds, they tell you all you need to know, watch as long as you want or as little, I come by if there's activity I might spend some minutes or as it dissipates I can go off and do something else…" when people send in results we enter that into the computer and one of our ornithologists looks at the data, analyzes it, puts all the pieces together and we write up a summary of what happened the previous year. My little part of it when added in to everyone else's is what really counts, its my variety, it changes because of weather or whose around but when its added with everyone from all over the state and they get the stats and follow patterns, my stats add in and that's why I do my thing because I'm giving some kind of helpful info in overall picture. And I like being able to participate in that way. What's exciting about the survey going on for more than 20 years is that we can look at the long-term patterns. Some species we can see they're here one year; they're not here the next year. |
| Tag Audubon Return to index of stories... |
It takes the Audubon Society some time to compile and analyze the results of the bird count. This year's data will be out next January. But you can find information from counts from the past twenty years, along with full analysis, on the Audubon's website. Head to our site, nhptv.org/Outlook for a link. |
| Thanks/Goodbye Return to index of stories... |
That does it for us. Thanks for watching New Hampshire Outlook. I'm Beth Carroll. I'll see you next time. |
| New Web Promo Return to index of stories... |
What did you think of our our program? Did you have a reaction to any of the stories or interviews? Did we miss anything or do you have suggestions for future Outlook episodes? If so, we want to hear from you. Drop us an email at nhoutlook@nhptv.org. Or connect with us online. You can find streaming video of all our broadcasts at nhptv.org/outlook. What did you think of our our program? Did you have a reaction to any of the stories or interviews? Did we miss anything or do you have suggestions for future Outlook episodes? If so, we want to hear from you. Drop us an email at nhoutlook@nhptv.org. Or connect with us online. watch this show again, email it to a friend, search and watch past programs or get more information on thousands of stories and topics, you'll find it all at nhptv.org/outlook. |
| key:ENVIRONMENT Return to index of stories... |
NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK Air Date/Time: 2/17/2008 HOST: Beth Carroll Length: 6:30 Now on NH Outlook: Taking steps to clean up your home drinking water. Plus: A conversation about global warming with UNH's Berrien Moore. And later: Volunteers across the state take part in New Hampshire's annual bird count. How it works and what the experts are hoping to learn. Hello, I'm Beth Carroll welcome to New Hampshire Outlook. M-T-B-E is back in the news. A report released by the Department of Environmental Services in early January shows the gasoline additive is showing up in both private and public water supplies throughout the state. Heaviest concentrations were found in southern New Hampshire. Outlook's Phil Vaughn take us to his basement to show how to get rid of M-T-B-E and other potential contaminants from your drinking water. PRODUCER/REPORTER: Phil Vaughn NAME OF PARTICIPANTS: Fred McGarry\NH Dept. of Environmental Services, Nancy Kinner\Civil Engineering Professor, UNH |
| key:ENVIRONMENT Return to index of stories... |
NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK Air Date/Time: 2/17/2008 HOST: Beth Carroll Length: 12:00 Now on NH Outlook: Taking steps to clean up your home drinking water. Plus: A conversation about global warming with UNH's Berrien Moore. And later: Volunteers across the state take part in New Hampshire's annual bird count. How it works and what the experts are hoping to learn. Hello, I'm Beth Carroll welcome to New Hampshire Outlook. This past week, leaders from around the world met to debate a new treaty to fight global warming. That's music to the ears of Dr. Berrien Moore, the University of New Hampshire's outgoing director of the Institute for the Study of Earth, Oceans and Space. Moore has been with the Institute since its inception and last year was part of a network of scientists recognized with a Nobel Peace Prize for their work on the consequences of global climate change. I recently sat down with Moore in Durham to get his views on an issue that has become part of the national dialogue. PRODUCER/REPORTER: Beth Carroll NAME OF PARTICIPANTS: Berrien Moore\Climate Change Expert, UNH |
| key: RECREATION / LEISURE / SPORTS Return to index of stories... |
NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK Air Date/Time: 2/17/2008 HOST: Beth Carroll Length: 6:00 Now on NH Outlook: Taking steps to clean up your home drinking water. Plus: A conversation about global warming with UNH's Berrien Moore. And later: Volunteers across the state take part in New Hampshire's annual bird count. How it works and what the experts are hoping to learn. Hello, I'm Beth Carroll welcome to New Hampshire Outlook. Every winter the New Hampshire Audubon conducts a survey of the state's bird population. Volunteers known as "birders," hit their backyards, armed with binoculars, ready to record the many species of birds that can be found here in New Hampshire. In mid-February we caught up with the coordinator of the survey, and some volunteers, and they explain what the bird count is all about. PRODUCER/REPORTER: Adam Donovan NAME OF PARTICIPANTS: Becky Suomala\NH Audubon Survey Coordinator, Joe Kabat\NH Audubon Survey Volunteer, Stephanie Parkinson\NH Audubon Survey Volunteer |